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Hypancistrus zebra - Fast Fact
Sheet
by Francesco Zezza |
Biotope: Brasil, specifically Rio Xingu.
L-number is L-46.
Tank: attains a total lenght of (about)
10 cm, hence the tank doesn’t need to be that big if it happens to
be kept alone. Lots of hiding places are needed, when attempting to
keep more that one specimens. Those fishes are – in my own experience -
VERY territorial …
Water chemistry: no specific needs (simply avoid extreme environments) when looking to chemistry. On the other
hand, an highly oxygenated environment is a must since
these catfishes lives in fast flowing waters in the wild. Water temp should be
kept in the “upper range”.
Spawning: it’s said to be not that easy.
Among other requirements you have to remember good water quality, water temperature
of, at least, 27° C, balanced nutrition (animal matter needed) and
“suitable” spawning caves. The usual clutch consists of 7-12
eggs (up to 5mm in diameter!) and is guarded by the male (quite
common among Loriicarids). Only sure report I found is in the book
“Loriicaridae: The trick of the trade” by Larry Vines,
containing, among others, suggestions on attempting to spawn these
beautiful catfishes … I have NOT spawned this fish, and while
attemping to do so I lost two specimens because I hadn't provided
them with enough hiding places! Those
cute fellows are territorial to the highest level. Believe me!
Food: Those fishes do not
rely that much on algae (as concluded by their small teeth not that
suitable to “scratch” algae), so you should add some animal
matter in their diet (sinking tablets, and worms of different kinds).
Tank Mates: the main, and possibly only, problem
is the water temp required by this fish (in Rio Xingù water temp
can rise up to 35° C!). Then, it is not that suitable to be kept
with cichlids (despite this fact I kept one of them for about three
years in a Tanganyikan tank with no detectable drawbacks). Keep in
mind those fishes are afraid of strong lighting. FINAL NOTE: this fish IS
expensive attaining, in Italy, prices well over $100 for a single
(extremely shy) specimen …
L-Number: The taxonomy of those (SA
catfishes) fishes is way more complex (unbelievably complex as it
seems) than the one of cichlids! Lots of new discoveries, often by “local” collectors and/or traders with little, or
no idea of the real collecting point. To avoid more serious errors
it has been decided to "tag" each fish (genus/species)
with a number. "L" stands for Loricariids hence the
"L-numbers".
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